How children were punished in the Seventies and what they were punished for?

LF - When I was in my second year, it was led by a teacher who was particularly horrible to us. When we signed to each other and we were caught, we got told off. It really took me for six. I thought I was allowed to sign. Perhaps, it was allowed in the earlier years but it was a sudden switch to being punished for signing.

You know the small paper bag, often used to contain sweets. It was used to wrap up our hands; they were tied together, as well. We were sent to the corner with our hands tied together and covered by this small paper bag. I remember feeling shocked and I was only 7 or 8 years old at the time.

I stood there with my hands tied without any understanding of why. No one attempted to explain to me and I was left clueless.

Transcript for 'Robert, punishments and misunderstandings':

RC - That is what it was like in those days. If I was in a fight or argument, I would be called in to see the Head Teacher, Mr. Jensen, for being naughty. He would tell me off sternly and ask me to bend down. I was told to lower my trousers and he brought out the cane and hit me on the buttocks.

PL - Actually on bare skin?

RC - You don't see anything like this today but then, you could be caned on your hand as well..

PL - And you remember that?

RC - Yes, … on my hand or buttocks. It would leave a red mark on my hand. But then my Mother was told what happened and she threw a fit. She called up the school, no mobile phones or minicoms in those days; she used the proper dial up telephone. She had words with the Head Teacher and she came back asking why I was naughty. 'Why I was fighting with other children'. I told her to mind her own business as I had a reason to fight. The other [hearing] children were using strange signs that I didn't understand, they were not using the sign language I used at school, and they were taking the mick. Really, we just couldn't understand each other and it caused this situation.

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